One of those affected, Fritz Smit, lives at the junction of Nuwe Vlei and Cecelia Street, where the off-ramp is to be constructed. When approached for comment on Smit's problem with access, Colin Tichauer of BKS consulting transport engineers said that the matter "would be sorted out."

Property owners in Nuwe Vlei Street were unhappy with the noise that would be generated by traffic using the off-ramp.

"The possibility of an off-ramp on our doorstep was never even mentioned as part of the project when we were approached for approval three years ago," said Hannes Wagener.

An on-ramp on the New Eskdale Street side of the Cecelia Street bridge will take traffic destined for Cape Town back onto the N1, cutting down on traffic at the Main Road/N1 intersection.

The on-ramp for traffic to Worcester at Main Street will be closed and traffic from Worcester destined for the mall will have to take the off-ramp at Jan van Riebeeck Drive, travelling via Arboretum Street. The changes to Paarl's road network will be funded by the developer of the mall and are expected to relieve traffic congestion on Main Street South.

The shopping centre of 33 000 square metres on 15 hectares near Paarl station is to be developed on a scale similar to the first phase of the Somerset Mall and is set to open at the end of next year. It represents an investment of R220 million and will include six cinemas and a tourist wine centre.

Although retailers have expressed great interest in renting space in the centre, fears have also been expressed that the new development would ring the death knell of the Lady Grey Street shopping area in central Paarl, as has happened in Somerset West since construction of Somerset Mall.

Says local architect Christoff Albertyn, "I don't know whether Paarl can afford this mall. It will not really generate new business, but simply move the business out of Lady Grey Street to the mall.

"I believe the implications of a regional shopping mall based on the Somerset Mall concept was not thorougly considered by the town council."

Consultant town planner Jan Hanekom, who is heading plans to redevelop the Lady Grey Street area into a covered pedestrian mall in conjunction with property owners, also expressed serious concern.

"If the mall is built, property owners in the CBD will be reluctant to invest more money there.

"In addition, the current plans for the mall do not reflect the original intent of the applicant when they applied for rezoning."

CBD landowner Dennis Minitzer has spent a number of years consulting with owners and retailers to join in the Lady Grey Mall project, which would include extensive upgrading of properties.

"The landowners in Lady Grey Street are all keen to upgrade their properties and the Municipality needs to fast-track this process. This will be good for the landlords and for Paarl, for deterioration of the CBD will mean lower values and rates to the municipal coffers.

"But Paarl can't sustain two centres. Upgrading Lady Grey Street, which already has 80 000 square metres available, can be done at a fraction of the cost of the new centre with high rentals.

"Any major development in Paarl should rather enhance the existing historical nodes."

But one retailer in Lady Grey Street can't wait for the mall: "The CBD is a mess because the Town Council has allowed it to deteriorate.

"It is flooded by hawkers and my clients complain that they can't find parking nearby. If the mall comes, I won't have a choice. I will have to move there."

According to the developer of the centre, Pat Flanagan of Flanagan & Gerrard, the new centre serves a totally different market from Lady Grey Street, and will bring back the upmarket retail spend that is currently leaving Paarl.

"It will create a number of new jobs and be a great boost for the town and surrounding district." Sharon de Gois, chief municipal planner, considers the centre as a welcome addition which could lead to upgrading of a neglected area within the existing urban area, including the Paarl railway station area, without encroaching on valuable agricultural land.

* Comments on the traffic proposals should be directed to Doug Jeffery Environmental Consultants at PO Box 44, Klapmuts 7625 or e-mail dougjeff@iafrica.com.

For enquiries, phone 875-5272.

'n GROEP van 25 derdejaar-argitektuurstudente van die Universiteit Port Elizabeth onder leiding van prof Albrecht Herholdt het onlangs op uitnodiging Wellington besoek. 

Die inisiatief hiervoor het ontstaan uit die Ontwikkelingskomitee van die Toerismeburo.

Charl Tomlinson en sy komitee het die noodsaaklikheid van 'n holistiese benadering tot die opgradering van die dorp uit 'n toerisme-oogpunt besef en die hulp van hierdie groep van Port Elizabeth ingeroep. 

Op hulle beurt het die Universiteit dit as 'n gulde geleentheid aangegryp om die projek as 'n geïntegreerde deel van hulle kurrikulum te gebruik. 

Herholdt se opdrag aan die studente was om onder andere 24 historiese huise of geboue op te meet en dorpstudies van Bain-, Kerk-, Hoof-, Voor-, Hoog- en Jan van Riebeeckstraat te doen. 

Verskeie stedelike ontwerpprobleme en oplossings is geïdentifiseer en opgemete tekeninge is gemaak van die mees prominente geboue in die dorp wat gebruik kan word vir promosie-aksies. 

Verdere aanbevelings oor die ingange na Wellington behoort aandag te geniet, lui die verslag, en daar moet beter beheer oor aanbouings en advertensietekens in die hoof- en ander strate wees om onder andere die straatbeeld te verbeter. 

Daar is ook 'n stadsontwerpvoorstel gemaak vir die dorpskern om die samehang van die belangrike historiese en ander geboue te verbeter, aangesien dit verskeie aantreklike geboue bevat wat nie tot hulle reg kom nie.

THE final residential phase of erven has been released at Boschenmeer Golf and Country Estate in Paarl.

It consists of a pocket of 51 erven that are located on the southern boundary of the Estate. It is the only phase of the development which is not located directly on the 27-hole Paarl golf course. The single residential plots vary in size between 400 and 1200 square metres, and the prices range from R350 000 to R700 000.

Special features include mountain views and a spread of easy to maintain small plots, as well as some of the largest properties on the Estate, set around a large water feature. The new phase is located in a peaceful corner of the Estate and will have a friendly, neighbourhood village atmosphere.

It will have its own access control security entrance, is set apart from the golf course and the Estate Lodge development, and will therefore not have any golfers' traffic. Only residents will have access to this residential village and it is perfectly suited to families who require privacy and security, and prefer being a little further away from the golfing activities.

It is, however, within easy walking distance to the Estate's driving range and the Golf Academy. Residents will also have the use of all the Estate facilities such as tennis courts, a swimming pool, the Estate Hotel and the Paarl Golf Clubhouse.

A small number of turnkey Plot-and-Plan 'Country Homes' will be available, with the balance of the plots available to buyers who wish to design and construct their own homes in accordance to the architectural guidelines of the Estate.

Johan Pauw, the developer of Boschenmeer Golf and Country Estate, says that interest in the development has dramatically increased over the past six months.

"Sales have been good since we launched the project two and a half years ago, but are now exceeding expectations with the conclusion of new sales agreements on a daily basis.

"More than 200 plots have been sold, and Boschenmeer is 90% sold out on the residential side. The release of this phase therefore offers buyers the last opportunity to buy residential plots on the Estate."

Boschenmeer Golf and Country Estate offers a safe and secure lifestyle in the heart of the Paarl Franschhoek Valley, surrounded by mountains, rivers and lakes.

One of Boschenmeer's main attractions is its location on the extended Paarl Golf Course with its excellent reputation as one of the top golf courses in the Western Cape, and the only 27-hole golf course in the province.

A range of the very best private and public schools, medical infrastructure and shopping centres are within easy reach - and Cape Town International Airport is just 30 minutes away, ensuring that Boschenmeer's secure country feel is strongly linked to 21st century technology.

Boschenmeer has a dedicated sales team on site at the show unit from 10 am to 6pm every day, seven days a week.

Call the sales office at 863-1133, Reon van der Merwe at 082-896-2747 or Neil van der Westhuizen at 082-482-4749, or visit the website, www.boschenmeer.co.za for more information on the estate and its facilities.

A MAJOR new shopping mall to be constructed in Suider Paarl between Paarl railway station and Cecelia Street is due to open at the end of next year.

To optimise access from the N1 to the R220 million Paarl Mall, a new intersection at the Cecelia Street bridge has been proposed by the developer, who will also foot the bill. The developers have now decided to solicit public comment on their proposal for a new intersection.

The R5 million road project entails the construction of an off-ramp at the Cecelia Street bridge, taking traffic from Cape Town directly into Paarl via Cecelia Street to Berg River Boulevard.

An on-ramp south of the Cecelia Street bridge will take traffic destined for Cape Town back onto the N1. It will cut down on traffic at the Main Street/N1 intersection. To enable the construction of the new intersection, the on-ramp onto the N1 taking traffic from Main Street to Worcester, will have to be closed as it is less than the required 1300m from the proposed on-ramp.

According to a spokesman for BKS traffic engineers, Colin Tiechauer, the Main Street on-ramp does not carry a high volume of traffic.

Traffic from Paarl to Worcester via Main Street will have to take a circuitous route via New Vlei Street, New Eskdale Street and Arboretum Street, as the section of New Vlei Street between the Jones Street Bridge and the Cecelia Street Bridge will be closed for through traffic.

The proposed intersection will give direct access to shoppers from outside Paarl, who wish to visit the new mall on the Langeberg site next to the KWV cellars.

The shopping centre, with a first phase of 35 000 square metres, is to be developed on the 15 hectare site by a consortium consisting of Spire Properties, Flanagan & Gerard and Coronation NIB (Coronib). The centre  is  already 75% let, says developer Patrick Flanagan.

It is hoped that the new centre will halt the urban decay in the Paarl station area, which could be connected to the centre by a pedestrian bridge.

The changes to Paarl's road network have been planned by BKS and should relieve the heavy traffic on the southern section of Main Street. A public open house where more information can be obtained, will be held at the Oak Room at Tiger Food Brands (formerly Langeberg) in Jones Street, on 23 May from 16:00 to 19:00.

A document on the traffic proposals is available at the municipal planning department on the third floor of the Paarl Civic Centre from tomorrow.

Comments should be directed to Doug Jeffery Environmental Consultants at PO Box 44, Klapmuts 7625 or e-mail dougjeff@iafrica.com. For enquiries, phone 875-5272.

DIE De Poort museumdorp wat in Suider-Paarl beoog word, gee vandeesweek 'n tree nader aan die werklikheid sedert die Paarl Post 'n jaar gelede vir die eerste keer daaroor berig het. Hersonering van die grond vir die ontwikkeling van dié dorpie naby Paarlstasie word vandag geadverteer en sal na verwagting binne die volgende paar maande afgehandel word.

De Poort se hooftrekpleister sal die uitbeelding van die wamakersbedryf tussen 1875 tot 1895 wees. Dié bedryf het daardie tyd 'n opbloei in die Paarl beleef om fortuinsoekers na die goud- en diamantvelde te dra. La-ter is die waens ook na die oorlogsfronte toe. Dit is hierdie era van ekonomiese vooruitgang van die vallei wat deur De Poort voorgestel gaan word in 'n aktiewe lewendige museumdorpie. 

Die waversameling van die Drakenstein Munisipaliteit is in die bekwame hande van die De Poort-komitee geplaas en sal verskuif word sodra gepaste huisvesting in die erfenisdorpie gebou is, waar dit uitgestal word. Die versameling bly die eiendom van die Munisipaliteit.

By hierdie spesiaal-ontwerpte gebou word 'n opelugarena beplan waar die vaardighede van die hanteerders van waens, perde en muile ten toon gestel gaan word aan die publiek.

'n Lid van die De Poort-komitee is reeds hard aan die werk om muile af te rig sodat besoekers ritte kan onderneem op replikas van veerwaens en ander rytuie soos wat deur Domingo, Retief en ander plaaslik gebou is.

Tydens beplanning is die behoud van die dennebome op die terrein in gedagte gehou. Gevolglik word die meeste geboue op die rand van die grond geplaas.

'n Skool, stadsaal, winkeltjies, tipiese huise en menige ander geskiedkundige voorstellings van die era word beplan vir die aktiewe museumdorpie.

Die winkels wat op die grense beplan word, sal 'n dubble doel dien: na buite sal hulle hedendaagse goedere verkoop, maar aan De Poort se kant moet die winkels, winkelassistente en die ware wat te koop aangebied gaan word, eie wees aan die negentiende eeu.

Entrepreneurs kan een of beide bedryf soos hulle dit  verkies. 

Om die gebied ten beste te benut, sal parkering op die perseel van Spoornet verskaf word. Dit is in beginsel goedgekeur deur die betrokke owerhede. Sover moontlik is die geboue wat gebou gaan word, eie aan die era en sommiges sal herinner aan ou Paarlse geboue wat gesloop is.

Onder hulle is die ingang in Tabakstraat wat herinner aan die ou Paarl Wyn- en Brandewynmaatskappy, die stadsaal grensend aan Hoofstraat het elemente van die ou stadsaal wat afgebrand het en die ou negosiewinkel van weleer in Stasiestraat is ook herkenbaar.

Die projek het die ondersteuning van die Drakenstein Munisipaliteit en Raad en dit is positief ontvang deur die gemeenskap. Dit word gesien as 'n belangrike stimulus vir toerisme in die gebied.

Die loodskomitee van De Poort (almal vrywilligers) het lang ure gespandeer om bande op te bou met 'n wye spektrum van organisasies en instellings sodat die hele poging so verteenwoordigend as moontlik kan wees.

Raadslid Herman Bailey, die onderburgemeester, is afgevaardig om namens die Munisipaliteit op die De Poort Raad te dien, met raadslid Johann von Wielligh as secundus. 

'n Lewensvatbaarheidstudie is verlede jaar uitgevoer met fondse bewillig deur die Wes-Kaapse regering. Dit het getoon dat nie net broodnodige direkte werkskepping bevorder sal word nie, maar dat die hele omliggende gebiede finansieel op verskeie maniere kan baat vind by die projek en 'n toename in toeriste.

De Poort word ook beskou as 'n belangrike katalisator om verskillende toerisme-besienswaardighede in die omgewing saam te snoer om toerisme te bevorder: waaronder stoomtreine, Het Gesticht, die Slaweroete, Madiba-huis, die Taalroete en Roete 62.

Die twee erwe tussen Turk en Pinestraat (een provinsiaal en die ander munisipaal) gaan saamgevoeg word en sal, na kommentaar deur die algemene publiek, hersoneer word vir spesiale besigheidsregte en toerisme. 

Die Raad het reeds in beginsel die huur van die grond aan De Poort goedgekeur vir 25 jaar met die opsie om te hernu. 

Alles dui daarop dat die projek 'n bate vir die Drakenstein-area gaan wees, veral vir die gebied om Paarlstasie waar ou geboue na verwagting opgeknap sal word om in te skakel. 

Besoekers aan De Poort sal teruggevoer word na 'n lewendige, aktiewe dorpie eie aan die tydperk van 1875 tot 1895 en getrakteer word op verskeie spesiale ervaringe:

* Werkers in die kompleks gaan in eietydse kostuums geklee wees;

* Orkeste gaan musiek maak soos in vervloë dae;

* Kinders en volwassenes sal kan deelneem en leer van speletjies van ouds;

* Besoekers sal afgeneem word in kostuums van die era;

* Die Kaapse Berede Polisie sal marsjeer en hul passies toon met ou gewere;

* Families sal pieknieks tipies van die era onder die bome kan hou;

* Handvaardighede van die tydperk sal gereeld ten toon gestel word.

* Vir die kooplustiges sal daar unieke eietydse artikels te koop wees.

Vir navrae, skakel Frances Graves by 863-3902 of epos fegraves@mweb.co.za. Kommentaar op die planne moet die Munisipaliteit bereik voor 17 Mei.

* The Municipality has advertised a site in Suider Paarl for rezoning for the purpose of building the proposed De Poort heritage village.

A NEW security complex consisting of 70 luxury units is planned 8 km outside Paarl on the R301 to Franschhoek. The development around a dam of 3 hectares will adjoin the southern boundary of the new Pearl Valley golfing development.

The proposed development will be located on 27ha of land with waterfronts on the dam. It will provide small erven of 500 to 600 square metres with luxury houses and secluded private open spaces supported by larger common park areas.

The houses will range from 140 to 200 square metres. Twenty four hour security will be provided to create a secure living environment.  The dam will serve not only as open space and an attraction to water birds, but also for recreational purposes such as canoeing.

The section of the property abutting onto the R301 will serve as a buffer for the residential component by providing tourist related facilities which may include a guest house which could also serve as club for residents. An environmental assessment, design and costing of the project are in progress. It is envisaged that the rezoning applications be submitted to Drakenstein Municipality by the end of the month.

For more information contact drakenstein@enviromon.co.za or phone 873-2807 of 082-573-1589 or visit the website http://home.intekom.com/slategan.

TWO streets in Franschhoek may be closed for the construction of a housing development including a retirement village. The streets are Pepler and Haumann Streets.

A total of 26 houses, 120 group houses, a block of flats and a business unit are planned as part of the La Chantelle Ferme project at the entrance to the town, east of
the main street.

Any comments or objections must reached the municipal manager at Stellenbosch Municipality by 1 March.

For details, contact the chief town planner in Stellenbosch.

A LARGE scale plan to develop part of Lady Grey Street as an enclosed predestrian shopping mall, has been proposed to the Drakenstein Town Council.

The scheme is based on the premise that Paarl's Central business district is currently underutilised but viable, and needs to be repackaged as a modern shopping mall.

According to planning consultant Jan Hanekom, property owners in Lady Grey Street are enthusiastic about the proposal, based on the closure of Lady Grey Street and construction of a double storey parking garage covering the street between Main Street and Verster Street.

This will allow the redevelopment of ground level shop fronts in Lady Grey Street. An additional 5000 square metres of lettable space would be created.

Ramps leading to the overhead parking area could be situated in Fabriek and Derksen Street, while atriums and openings between the overhead parking and shopfronts would admit daylight.

"We need to give consumers a total shopping experience, so that we can bring them back to Paarl. Consumers want to shop where there is climate control, access control and ample parking," says Hanekom.

"The lower section of Lady Grey Street, although not covered, should also be closed to traffic and redeveloped as a St George's Street type open walkway, with stands for informal traders.

This could lead to a general upgrading of the area and its architecture, revitalising the Paarl CBD.

And if one includes the Wamakersplein Centre (Pick 'n Pay) it becomes a sizeable mall of 30 000 square metres."

"We have a large number of property owners and consultants on board, but need an undertaking from the Municipal Council that they would allow such a development."

According to the municipal manager, Jacques Carstens, the Council is positive about the project.

"However, closure of Lady Grey Street cannot be considered before a study has been done on the impact of the proposal on traffic, informal trade, parking and taxis.

A business and development plan should also be submitted and the issue of public competition for the development must be addressed."

THE exclusive Pearl Valley Signature Golf Estate & Spa development is rapidly taking shape in the Drakenstein Valley between Paarl and Franschhoek. 

Once complete this development will offer luxury golf course living designed around the centrepiece, the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, in a scenic setting. The residential infrastructure for phase one is progressing well and is scheduled for completion by July 2002. Pearl Valley Estate and Spa will consist of 320 homes and 180 executive lodges.

Phase 1 of the development consists of 194 units, including 127 executive "lock-up and go" lodges and 67 exclusive homes.  The challenging 10th and 11th holes will be completed by February and the pinnacle 18th hole will also be finalised by this date.  Sales staff are hosting an informal braai on Wednesday 5 December on site.

For more information, please contact the Pearl Valley Sales Office on 864-0442 or 419-3240 or visit the website www.pearlvalley.co.za.

Franni 082 808 3406, Lizbé 082 707 7294, Elaine 082 956 6241, Liz 082 468 8579 of Annamárie 083 457 8722

PROPERTY AGENTS

Aida 872-2161
Alpha 872-4815
Boland Landmark 871-1020
Boland Real Estate 863-2046
Caprop Homenet 872-1487 or caprop@iafrica.com
Duvenage & de Villiers 873-3140 or duvenage@intekom.co.za
Era Steer 871-1240
Erica Schell 864-2037
Germacor 873-2269
Joss Eiendomme 872-2007/9
Newdor 862-5877
Nr 1 Properties 872-1140
Private Seller 872-8600
Pam Golding 871-1480 or paarl@pamgolding.co.za.                  Protea Estates 872-6611 or protea-paarl@new.co.za
Remax 863-2046
Samuel Benans 083-261-9011
Seeff 872-1997
Tony Ward 872-8004
Western Properties 872-0899